Category: Uncategorized

Here is a little group of Black Glass buttons which have a painted design on them. It is not easy to find them with the paintwork in good order as it wears off over time. The painted designs I think would limit the choices of fabric they could be used on; maybe just a plain colour. All of these buttons have a self shank and measure a little over 1 1/2 cm. Black glass buttons do not photograph well and are better in reality.

These two Bakelite buttons are coat buttons and both are dark brown with some simple carving. They both have a decorative white metal trim and have a metal loop shank. They measure just over 4 cm. Many of the Bakelite buttons of this period were dark brown or black.

These two Bakelite buttons are entirely different in design. One has a decorative brass disc in the centre while the other has gold inclusions. Actually the one on the left is largest at 3 1/2 cm and the other one is just over 2 1/2 cm. I think they have a brass loop shank but can’t check now as they are mounted in a frame.

I think these two buttons are horn with a bone centre. They both have a simple design carved in them. I wonder if they were made in Nepal. They would make nice buttons on a tweed overcoat or some natural woollen fabric garment.

Here are some domed plastic buttons with different designs. I guess they are from the 1940s or thereabouts. The colours are typical of that era, just subtle and not too bright. They would have been used on cotton dresses I imagine.

Here are two modern Czechoslovakian glass buttons. I believe they are reproductions of old buttons using the same moulds but am not 100% sure. The back is painted silver. These buttons are readily available.

Here are four white metal reproduction buttons of the early 1900s. They were put out by La Mode and made in Italy. I saw them advertised in a craft magazine and after some chasing I eventually found them in a craft shop in Bendigo, Victoria. There were quite a few of them but I did not buy the full set. They are well made and it would be interesting to see one of the original buttons to compare. I bought them in 2010.

These two perspex buttons are completely different in their design. The round one has a floral design carved out on the back which shows through to the front and it is a sew through type. The square one has bevelled edges and a metalized plastic rose embedded in the centre and has a metal loop shank . Perspex did come in a few colours but the clear seemed to be the most popular.

This is my only Cinnibar button and I have a buckle as well. The most common colour is red but it is made in a few other colours. It is mounted in tin which is also painted red. It is carved in a floral design and measures just over 3 cm.

Here is a group of Batchelor buttons, some of stone mounted in brass and one brass button. They don’t need to be sewn on but are clipped into position. You can see the back mechanism where you squeeze the two outer levers to release the back; somebody’s clever invention.